GALWAY and Cork will contest the relegation play-off from Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League after their positions were confirmed following today's final group matches.

In Thurles, Cork succumbed to their fifth successive league defeat as they fell to Tipperary by 2-27 to 2-15 with their defensive frailties exposed once again.

Second-half goals from Niall O’Meara and Michael Breen added gloss for the hosts who were buoyed by the return from injury of key forward Seamus Callanan (above).

Galway experienced their second successive draw as they shared the spoils with Waterford in Walsh Park on a 0-24 to 1-21 final scoreline.

Gavin O’Brien levelled matters for the hosts late on as Galway looked to have done enough to secure victory following earlier scores by Cathal Mannion and Dáithí Burke.

In Division 1B, Clare made an immediate return to Division 1A and consigned Limerick to a seventh consecutive season of second tier hurling with a 1-19 to 0-18 victory in their promotion battle at Cusack Park.

John Conlon scored an early goal for the hosts and with Barry Nash dismissed for Limerick late in the first-half, Clare looked comfortable upon the restart with Bobby Duggan landing six frees while Conor McGrath added five points from play.

Elsewhere in the division, Kerry produced the result of the year as they narrowly defeated Offaly by 2-18 to 2-17 in Birr with John Egan amassing 1-10 for the visitors.

The remaining fixture was similarly tight as Shane Tomkins landed the decisive score in Wexford’s 0-22 to 0-21 success against Laois in Portlaoise.

The quarter-final pairings are as follows Kilkenny v Offaly, Waterford v Wexford, Dublin v Limerick and Tipperary v Clare and will take place on the weekend of April 2/3. A toss of a coin will decide home advantage in three of the quarter-finals with Wexford afforded home advantage in their tie.

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